At 16 Whalepond Road, right next door to Sha\u2019are Tefilah (the Eatontown Shul), is where you\u2019ll find the brand new Jherin Esther Gorcey Mikveh. The story of its construction is one of heartfelt prayers, bitter tears, and incredible miracles. As this \u201cmiracle mikveh\u201d now reaches its final stages of completion, it behooves us to hear this remarkable story of faith and acknowledge Gd\u2019s unmistakable role in turning this dream into a reality.<\/p>\n
Remembering Jherin A\u201dH<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Anyone who knew or has even heard of Jherin Gorcey (March 2, 1995 \u2013 April 27, 2011) are well aware of how she embodied the ideal of emunah<\/em> \u2013 faith and trust in Hashem. When we reflect upon her short life, it becomes ever so clear that Jherin was sent here to strengthen, encourage, and inspire us all with the message of faith in the Almighty. As she herself wrote in a stirring poem which she entitled, \u201cEmunah<\/em>\u201d:<\/p>\n Bitachon is what we need,<\/em><\/p>\n Emunah is what we gain,<\/em><\/p>\n The trust and love we have for him,<\/em><\/p>\n Must empower all our pain\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n These are words that she lived by, and a lesson she spread to so many, both here in our community and well beyond.<\/p>\n Steadfast in her commitment to influence and inspire, Jherin gathered countless girls together for Torah classes in her home. She invited all girls, regardless of which school they attended, their background or their religious level. Jherin was on a mission, and no obstacle would get in her way. Girls from Hillel, Ilan, the Deal Bet Yaakob, public schools, colleges, and elsewhere, all came to take part in the classes given at the Gorcey home. And they all came for the same reason: they loved Jherin Gorcey.<\/p>\n Her mission and campaign to light up a dark world was progressing at full force until it was brought to an abrupt halt on 24 Nissan, 5771, when the precious soul of Jherin Esther Bat Rachel was returned to its maker. She was buried in Israel, just two hours before Shabbat.<\/p>\n But although Jherin has physically left us, her campaign was far from over.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Yetzer Hara<\/em> Will Surely Do His Best to Interfere\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Following the shloshim<\/em>, Jherin\u2019s mother, Mrs. Rachel Gorcey, was approached by members of the Eatontown community who suggested dedicating the future mikveh of the Eatontown Shul in Jherin\u2019s memory. Rachel gave the idea some thought, and then agreed. As the project got underway, Rachel was resolute in her conviction that it was her mission to build this mikveh, and she refused to let anything deter her from bringing it through to fruition.<\/p>\n Rachel visited numerous rabbis who cautioned that as building a mikveh is the holiest project one can undertake, the process is all but guaranteed to be fraught with difficulties. \u201cIt is an undertaking that the yetzer hara<\/em> will surely do his best to interfere with.\u201d she was warned. But she was eager, determined, and prepared to confront any challenge that would arise.<\/p>\n As they set out to achieve this goal, Rachel and her husband, Dr. Steven Gorcey, were clueless as to how to proceed. \u201cHow do you build a mikveh?\u201d they thought. \u201cWhom do we call? Where do we start?\u201d The very thought of fundraising for a project was foreign to them. Mrs. Gorcey recalls that \u201cthe months that followed became a story of a lot of tefillot<\/em>, a lot of tears, a lot of aggravation, and a lot of miracles.\u201d<\/p>\n With the help of close friends, including one particular individual, who graciously served as the driving force behind the project, the plans got underway. In due time, funds were raised, a team was hired, and the construction began.<\/p>\n Get that Check!<\/strong><\/p>\n Three years later, after months of construction, the funds for the project were dwindling \u2013 and fast. Workers were awaiting payment, and a hefty sum was due.<\/p>\n At his wife\u2019s request, Dr. Gorcey turned to the project\u2019s largest benefactor and asked for a check that would cover the balance. This individual (who asked to remain anonymous) had approached Rachel three years earlier, when she began her fundraising campaign, and generously pledged large donations to be given before construction and after the building\u2019s completion. But as funds were urgently needed in the middle of the project, Dr. Gorcey had no choice but to turn to this donor for help. The donor\u2019s response was disheartening but not surprising. He reiterated his commitment to donate after the mikveh\u2019s completion, but not before.<\/p>\n Dr. Gorcey thought of all the work he and Rachel had invested, all the tears and heartfelt prayers, and he could not help but wonder if this was truly the end of their long and difficult journey. He was at his office at the time, and would be going home after work to share the disappointing news with his wife.<\/p>\n A close patient noticed Dr. Gorcey\u2019s look of despair during an examination. She had always known him to be upbeat and positive, and knew something was not quite right.<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Gorcey told her about the difficult situation he was facing, how all the hard work he and his wife had invested in doing something to memorialize their daughter seemed to be going down the drain. The patient, a nonobservant Jew to whom we will refer as R.E., was inspired by the story of Jherin\u2019s life, and fascinated by the concept of a mikveh and family purity. She decided she wanted to take part in the project.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d she said, reaching into her purse and pulling out her checkbook. \u201cI\u2019ll cover the balance.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Gorcey came home announcing he had good news to share.<\/p>\n \u201cHe gave us a check?!\u201d asked an enthusiastic Rachel Gorcey.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I had no luck with him, but yes, I did get a check.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Gorcey told his wife the incredible story that took place at work that day, just a few hours before Shabbat. She was overjoyed to have received the large donation, but what really moved her was knowing there was such a special person out there, and that a Jewish women totally unfamiliar with her religion, let alone the idea of a mikveh, was willing to help with this project. The thought brought her to tears, and after Shabbat she called R.E. to express her heartfelt gratitude.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so moved,\u201d she began. \u201cWe are so grateful for people like you.\u201d She assured the woman that she was indeed part of a very holy project. \u201cMay your kindness and generosity be with you forever.\u201d<\/p>\n R.E.\u2019s response was a moving testimony to the spark of holiness within every Jew. She told Mrs. Gorcey that she was Jewish, but had never immersed in a mikveh in her life. She confided that she never had any children, and wanted nothing more than to take part in the great mitzvah of building a mikveh. \u201cI want to help the Jewish people,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is my greatest honor and pleasure to contribute; it\u2019s truly all my pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n As their conversation was coming to a close, R.E. made one request. She wanted to know more about Jherin. \u201cWhen I have time,\u201d she began, \u201cI would love to come see pictures of Jherin\u2026to see where she lived, and how she grew up. It would really mean a lot to me.\u201d Mrs. Gorcey was happy to comply, and invited the woman to her home.<\/p>\n Rachel welcomed her new friend, and the two went through pictures of Jherin, browsed through her bedroom, and discussed stories of Jherin\u2019s kindness and love of life. R.E. was inspired and said she felt nothing short of blessed to elevate Jherin\u2019s soul.<\/p>\n A Very Special Message\u2026 From Jherin<\/strong><\/p>\n Several weeks later, Rachel received a call from R.E., who had some incredible news to share. Anything would have been less surprising than what Rachel was about to hear.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a dream,\u201d she began. \u201cA most clear, vivid dream\u2026 It was about Jherin. Do you mind if I come over?\u201d A nearly speechless Rachel Gorcey was quick to consent, and it was not long before the two sat side by side at Mrs. Gorcey\u2019s kitchen table.<\/p>\n In her dream, R.E. explained, Jherin approached her at a beach, greeting her with a big smile. R.E lived by the ocean, but the beach in the dream was not one of the beaches near her home or any beach she had ever visited. Jherin asked that she come join her as she sat watching the waves crash upon the jetties.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank you for helping my mother with the mikveh,\u201d Jherin said. \u201cYou did such a wonderful thing.\u201d She then told her of the importance and beauty of a mikveh. She expressed its significance and holiness. \u201cThis mikveh is going to change the whole community,\u201d she foretold. \u201cTell Mom I love everything about the mikveh, and that I was with her every time she made a decision. Throughout everything she did \u2013 and on all the details she picked, I was with her, and I love all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n But it was the next sentence that truly startled Mrs. Gorcey: \u201cTell my mother I like those bracelets, that I love them very much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe gold bangles?!\u201d Mrs. Gorcey interrupted, \u201cThe four gold bangles I bought her?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026 they were bracelets. As I recall, she said you made her three bracelets\u2026 One green, one blue, and one white.\u201d<\/p>\n Rachel went into deep thought, doing her best to recall the bracelets. She ran to Jherin\u2019s room, eagerly pulled opened a drawer, and rummaged through Jherin\u2019s belongings. She did not find any bracelets. Her guest began to feel upset, figuring her memory failed her.<\/p>\n But just then, as Rachel walked out of her daughter\u2019s room, she noticed the three bracelets on her wrists which she so casually slips on every morning. One is green, and bears the inscription, \u201cemunah<\/em>\u201d; the second is blue and reads, \u201cJherin Gorcey\u201d; and the third, white bracelet has the words, \u201cStop lashon hara<\/em>.\u201d She nearly fell to the ground.<\/p>\n R.E. continued: \u201cShe asked me to tell you how very proud she is of you. She said, \u2018Tell her the classes given in our home are so great \u2013 but we need more! It isn\u2019t enough. There are so many kids off the path of Hashem; so many girls and boys that need guidance.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n R.E confided that Jherin told her that she, too, needed to \u2018get on the right track,\u2019 and when she asked how she should do this, Jherin replied, \u2018Do not worry, my mother will find a way to help you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Tears were the only response Rachel could offer. When she heard her daughter\u2019s final message relayed by R.E., her emotions overwhelmed her:<\/p>\n \u201cTell Mom I love her and I\u2019m always with her. The gift she got me on my 16th<\/sup> birthday\u2026the bluestone ring \u2013 I love it. I want her to have it, and wear it.\u201d<\/p>\n Rachel felt faint, and collapsed. After she collected herself, Rachel proceeded to a safe and pulled out the bluestone ring she bought for her daughter\u2019s 16th<\/sup> birthday. It was put away in a safe for two-and-a-half years, but as Jherin requested, Rachel now wears it proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cMake it a Good One\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThis small, little mikveh\u2026consists of so much holiness, so many tefillot<\/em>, so muchkavannah<\/em>, so much Yad Hashem<\/em>, and so much Jherin,\u201d Rachel says. It has been four long years since its conception, and its story, is a story for the ages.<\/p>\n The story conveys the powerful message that we must all strengthen our emunah<\/em>, as it \u00a0demonstrates beyond any doubt that Hashem is fully in control and aware of everything.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an Israel-born citizen of Ashdod,\u201d Rachel says, \u201cI\u2019ve always wondered, why is it that I am here? For what purpose has Hashem led me to live here, among the Syrian community of Eatontown, New Jersey?\u201d It was only with the tragic passing of her daughter that it all became clear. The puzzle pieces now seemed to fit. She was here, at least partly, to bring Jherin Gorcey to our community, a girl who lived to inspire, and continues to light up our world even after her passing.<\/p>\n Dr. Steven and Rachel Gorcey wish to remind us all that although most of us do not receive direct messages from heaven like they did, we must nevertheless be attuned to the more subtle messages we receive from Gd every day as we go about our lives and our daily routine. We must realize that we are here not merely for ourselves, but for others, and that if we love Hashem, then we love everyone. We must help other people, and learn and grow each day.<\/p>\n \u201cThe story of our lives is the only<\/em> thing we take with us,\u201d they say. \u201cMake it a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n Donate to the Jherin Esther Gorcey Mikveh<\/strong><\/p>\n If you would like to take part in this special mitzvah and donate to the Jherin Esther Gorcey Mikveh, please mail a check or credit card info to:<\/p>\n Shaare Tefilah \/The Jherin Gorcey Mikveh<\/p>\n 20 Whalepond Rd. Eatontown, NJ 07724<\/p>\n For more information about the mikveh, please contact Rachel Gorcey at 732-995-9727.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reprinted with permission from Community Magazine \u2013 the most widely circulated Sephardic monthly<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At 16 Whalepond Road, right next door to Sha\u2019are Tefilah (the Eatontown Shul), is where you\u2019ll find the brand new Jherin Esther Gorcey Mikveh. The story of its construction is one of heartfelt prayers, bitter tears, and incredible miracles. As this \u201cmiracle mikveh\u201d now reaches its final stages of completion, it behooves us to hear<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132938,"featured_media":38639,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\n